davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
Minicry In Nature.

Beetles often initiate hornets, since
the latter are insects to which birds in
search Of anima, food prefer to give a
very wide berth.
A species of mantis initiates the white
ant, and, mixing with the family like
one of its own members, quietly dcvours
fat termite, from time to time.
The bumblc-bcc flies, which are inof-
fensivc little creatures, initiating the
wild bee, fit about and buzz angriIy in
the sunlight, quite after the fashion Of
the insect they copy, and gain an unde-
served reputation for tierccness.
Flies often dwell as unbidden guests
n the nests and hives of wild honey
bees. They are bcltcd and bearded in
the self-samc pattern as their uncon.
scious hosts, but their larvae pay for the
hospitality they steal by devouring the
young grub, OF the hive.
There is in Bornco sand wasp which
is addicted to the habit of dcvouring
crickets, but there is also species OF
cricket which exactly reproduces the ap-
pcarance of its enemy, so that it can even
associate with it undiscovered.
Certain beetles have become modified
10 resemble wasps, even to the extent OF
losing their solid waists for others of
ultra-fashionable slcnderness, aud others,
which mimic bees. have acquired useless
little tufts of hair on their shanks, to
represent the pollen-gathering' apparatus
of the true bees.
A curious case of imitation is that Of
two species of Malayan orioles, which
are almost exact counterparts of two va
rietics of honey suckers. The latter are
such fierce birds rs to be avoided by all
their feathcred neighbors, and thus the
orioles find their own deceptive plumage
q great protection.
The mimicry OF stinging insects is
sometimes performed by innocent little
creatures quite destitute of any such
means of defense. A common insect,
known In England as the devils coach
horse, throws up its tail in the aggres-
sivc fashion of scorpion, when irri-
tated, but it has no hint of sting. In
its war-like attitude it is exceedingly
alarming, not only to boys and girls, but
to chickens and birds.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
Hotels In Cnba.

A Cuban hotel is a curiosity to stran-
gers. The dining rooms here face tho
street, and they are as open rs though
no wall separated them from it. Tho
office counter and writing table, or
writing room, are at the end of the din
ing room, and eating, writing and busi-
ness goes on inside OF the same wall.
This room, however, is largo square
one, and there Is no confusion. The
dining tables are of all sizes, so that ono
can dine alone or parry Of n dozen or
more eat at their table d'hotc together.
As to decoration, the brightest of colors
are usei in the interior painting of the
hotel, and in some rooms frescoes pre-
vail. Red and sky blue is seen every
where, and the floors of the chambers
and halls are paved in marble and red
tile. Iwrite this letter in my bedroom.
There is no plaster on the ceilings OF
these hotels. and the great raftcrs above
me are AS blue as the blucst sky. Tho
windows are almost as large as tho side
OF the room, and they ale kept open day
and night. The bed is Of iron, and the
mattress was never made of feathers. A
framework extends on every Cuban bed,
aud we slccpi in cages Of coarse lace like
that used for cheap curtains at home.
Most Of the Cuban beds have no mat
trcsses. The sheets are stretched on
wire springs. The rest of the wood
work of this room is as blue US the raf-
ters, end every room seems to have its
own bright color. Il Cleveland Leader.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

An interesting comparison between tn:
army expenses of this country and Ell
rope is made by London Truth, which
says: The amount annually spent by the
European countries to keep up thcif
armies and navics is elSl, 120, 900. The
amount spent by America is about es,-
900, 900. Adding, therefore, the cost for
war debts and for armaments together,
it will be seen that Europe pays 1894, =
T6O, 900, and America els, 900, 900 per
annum. How possibly can Europe hope
to hold her own against her trans-Atlau-
tic rival, when she handicaps herself,
in the struggle for commercial suprcm :
acy. with the stupcndous charge Of
e376, 900, 900 per annum' AS if this
we're not enough, Europe is each year
increasing her burden, whilst America
is each year reducing hers"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
Had Nothing to Say.

Mime. Aubernou gives literary dinners
in Paris and rules them like strict par
Humanitarian. She has silver bell at her
side to ring for order, and she gives each
guest his turn to speak. One evening
Mr.. Renan was talking when one of the
lesser lights tried to say something in an
undertone. She peromptorily silenced
him, and few moments later, when
M. Renan had finished his monologue,
she tapped the bell and said to the ua-
fortunate, "Now, Monsieur, you may
speak" "But, Madame" he exclaimed,
I only wanted to ask for some more
spinach"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
Alas I!

Ono of the easiest habits to form is
the habit of using some one word or
phrase so often that it becomes man
nerism. Whipple once called Emerson's
attention to his frequent use of the word
"srim," and so great was Emerson's
aversion to mannerisms that he at once
struck the word enti.e:y from his vocab-
ulary.
One of the most distinguished bishops
in the Methodist Episcopal church was,
in his youth, smitten with fondness
for the word "alas," which he used with
great effect. On one occasion he was
describing the death of the Christian
man, and thus expressed himself: ''Sec
him as he lies upon dying bed. His
friends surround him; his wife and
children are there to receive his bless
ing. At last the farewells are spoken,
he brcathes no more. Now, could we
part the veil, we should see convoy
of angels sent direct from the heavenly
courts to bear his ransomed soul home.
He rises higher and still higher, until at
last the music OF heaven resounds III his
ears. He receives an abundant entrance
into the everlasting kingdom, and there,
alas! lot US leave him." At the close of
the sermon brother said to him:
"Brothcr never supposed be-
fore that it was q mournful thing for
a Christian to be safe in heaven; but
as you said, Alas! let US leave him
there YOU must think it ia."
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

Nebraska has furnished an illustration
of the, practical value of Arbor Day. In
that state Of great prairies, on the first
of its Arbor Days, fifteen years ago, H.
900, 900 shoots were planted; now the
United States Forest commission reports
that there are fue groves growing 300
miles west of the Mississippi, and that
eO5, 900, 900 trees arc thriving where a
few years ago none could be seen save
along the streams.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
The Wells Secret.

Ikner it all my boyhood; in a lonesome
valley meadow,
kl, dryad's mirror hidden by the woods
dim arches near;
It's eve flashed back the sunshine and grew
dark and sad with shadow,
And 1 loved its truthful depths, where
every pebble lay so clear.
l scooI ed my hand and drank it, and
watched the sonsate quiver
Of the ripping rings Of silver as the drops
of crystal fell;
I pressed the richer grasses from the little
trckling river
Till at last knew, as friends know, every
secret of the we'll.
But one day l stood beside it, on sudden,
unexpected,
When the sun had crossed the valley and a
shadow hid the place,
And looked in the dark waters, saw my
palid cheek reflected,
And beside it, looking upward, met an
evil, reptile face.
Looking upward, furtive, startled at the
SILENT swift intrusion;
THIN it darted toward the grasses, and
saw not where it fed.
But knew its eyes were on me, and the Old
time sweet illusion
OF the pure and perfect symbol had
cherished there was dead.
Oh, the pain to know the perjury Of seeming
truth that blesses!
My soul was scared like sin to see the false
hood Of the place
And the innocence that Knocked me; whilc in
dim, unseen recesses
There was lnrking fouler secrets than the
furtive reptile face.
And since then-ah, why the burdeni when
joyous faces greet me.
With eyes Of limpid innocence and words
devoid Of art,
I cannot trust their seeming, but must ask
what eyes would meet me
Could look in sudden silence at the secrets
Of the heart.-[JouN BOYLE O'REILLY.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

Much doubt has of late been cast upon
the old notion that snakes and some in
sects will deliberately commit suicide
when hard pressed. A recent letter
from India tells of large black cobra,
which was shot by an Englishman, and
which in its agony, was said by natives
present to be biting itself to death.
Close watching by the Englishman
showed, however, that the snake was
simply throwing its head around, and
hitting itself accidently. Accidental
death, and not suicide, is the probable
verdict in such cases.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

Mr.. Crawford, the London corrcspon-
dent of the New Yoik World, says the
members Of tho house of commons arc
not as strong looking Set of men as the
members of our house Of representatives.
Of the house Of lords he remarks: II
have criticised the United States senate
for number of years as 4 correspondent
at Washington, but after seeing the up
per house in England I don't think 1
shall ever venture again to say one word
against the senate of the United States.
It is body so superior in character and
ability and positive force to the fossillzcd
house of lords that every American has
good reason to he proud of it.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

In reviewing the Rev. Phillips Brooks
"Twelty Sermons" the London
Athengum marks this difference between
Americans and European popular
preachers. The American preacher fuses
the Bible to interpret or to throw light
upon the facts of human life, to put
man and his destiny in their true light.
The other seeks the interpretation, the
inner meaning OF the Bible, in the facts
and necessities of human life, and what
does not correspond with these he over
loads or puts aside as of little or no
present moment.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
Amusing the Baby,

"And now, Bybby," said his mother,
as she buttoncd her gloves, "bc n good
little boy while 1 am out, and do every
thing you can to amusc the baby"
On her return she discovered that
Bobby had emptied the contents Of the
molasscs jug over the baby's head, and
the happy laughter from the infantile
lips told her more cloquently than mere
words could ever hope to tell how emil
nently successful Bobb's efforts in the
amusement line had been.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
The Day of Small Things.

Two west side men were talking about
small things the other day. Tho a-su-
ment was becoming rather warm, when
one of the fellows leaned over the table
and said:
81 once knew man who, with the aid
of microscope, male harness for a
1y."
"IIumph!" replied the other, 'that's
nothing. SAW that same fly harnesscd."
II Chicago Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

Scarfs and nccktics of metal are a
new German invention. Gold, platinum
and silver strips are welded, after the
mosaic style, upon metal ground, pre-
pared by the incande descent presses, and
finally elongated by rolling into long
sheets or rstrips. The colors are yellow,
red green. white, gray and black, and
the scarfs, being indestructiblc, are com.
sidered of practical value.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
SnnrkIe. Rut No Pom.

'IIow brilliant Augustus De Chatters
is" said Miss Asilinc lie Frit tcrs to her
friend, Josephine McBoltz, as the elc.
giant, gilt-edged youth left the room.
"EIe really is like champagnc--he has SO
much sparkle about him."
Eyes" answered Miss McBoltz, 'but
there's no pop about him. He's been
alone with me for IN hour past and
never said a word to the point, though
| was hoping every moment he'd 60 OF. "
Il The American.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
A Lucky Find.

Husband-I was in great luck to-day.
I found a silver dollar on the street.
Wifc-I wish you would give it to me,
John. Baby needs new pair of shoes.
Husoaud-Give it to you! Why 1
spent it, and another dollar with it,
celebrating the event. -fNcw York Sun.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

In general review Of the work, under
the direction of the United States Agri-
cultural Department OF making sorghum
sugar at Fort Scott, Kau., Prof. Wiley
who was in charge, says: "rhe most
important point suggested is the abso-
lutte failure of the experiment to demon
strate the commercial practicability of
manufacturing sorghum sugar"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

We ran down as quickly as the loosely
scattered stones would permit, dread
ing a place midway down the mountain
side, where late torrent had washed
trees, rocks and earth across our path for
may yards.
Nellie suddenly gave sharp cry and
fell, confused mass Of dark clothing
and sliding stones at my feet.
II have spraincd my ankle" she
cried, and before l could reply manly
voice speaking with slight foreign NC.
cent was heard.
pray allow me to assist you, madame.
l was little in advanc &C of you,,' he
added, and am glad to be able to Of
fer you my arm, for the path is really
peri!ous at this hour
He gently raised Nellie from q heap
on the ground to her own slender,
graceful height.
An attempt to step, however, was so
painful that he rather carried than as.
sisted her. At the door of our hotel
the opportunc young man was revealed
by the light to be dark eyed and pleas
ing of feature.
Something in the trick Of his voice, rs
Nellie having been deposited on the
sofa, he bowed and left us, seemed IA
miliar, but the impression was gone in a
moment.
The next morning the card of Ernest
de Ia Perrierc was handed to me and I
found the kindly face of our cavalier
of the previous night before me, anxious
to know if madame had rested we'll and
if he who was so desoic at the mishap,
might be allowed to shorten her hours Of
confinement by sending some new books
and flowers.
What could do but smile on so pleas
ant an offer for my young sister, and
permit any one disposed to be sympa-
thetic to make an occasional visit.
The tedium of our stay and Nellie's
slow recovery was lightcned to an extent
that soon alarmed me, for detected
brightness in Ncllie's face when NJ. dc
la Pcrriere's fair face was heard, and q
soft, almost caressing tone in his voice
when saying only the commonplace
greetings OF the day.
What was best to do2 Ihad not been
wise in allowing a stranger to ingratiatc
himself into our favor.
7 sat one day worrying my poor,
rackcd brain once more in contriving a
way to diminish the intimacy now felt
to have been rashly encouraged.
Suddenly NJ. de la Porriere stood be-
fore me, begging to be allowed to sit
by my side. He told me in plain, earn
est words, OF his love for Nellie and his
desire to make her his wife. He gave
me undisputable proof of'his wealth,
good position, and high moral char
acter.
What weight was lifted from my
heart! l need not tell of warm assent and
sisterly congratulations.
We returned to the hotel and I judi
ciously left the enamorcd swain to tell
the old, old story.
When next I entered the room Nellie
was looking quietly content, and Ernest
radient, but with an amused light in his
eyes as he drew an ordinary little slip of
paper from a we'll Russa-leather
pocket-book.
"Would you like to hear my be-
trothed's first love letter to meF' he
said. And he coolly read aloud tho
contrite note Nellie had written to her
pickpocket.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
NELLIE'S PICKPOCKET.


gonc," said Nellie, looking sharply at
the young man at her side. 81 am sure"
she added, in much lower tone, "this
fellow has taken it." We were sitting
in box at Partisan theatre.
"But he looks too respectable for
thief," said I.
II am certain of it," she continued,
"for felt his hand close to my pocket.
Aud sec how guilty he looks"
The poor, accused youth was, it is
true, looking wonderingly at the pretty,
flushed face near him, but failed to &C.
tect guilt in the soft, brown eyes and
mild expression.
''My dear, be quiet sure you had your
purse with you before you make such a
harsh statement" said Mrs. Howell.
"Ob, I am quite sure. remember
running back to the moment and search
ing we'll before I found it. What
could be more convincingT'
"Thcn my dear, if there was sum OF
any consequence in it we will have this
person examined before the police" said
Mrs. Howell, in decided tone.
Forthwith I dispatched to bring n
sergeant de vile tho little old woman
with streaming pink cap-ribbons, who,
for douceur, shows theatre-goers their
places, tucks a Petition under their
feet, and presides over their welfare
generally.
After few uncomfortable moments,
during which the object of all interest
complacently watched the progress of
an entreacte, the little woman came
back, followed by civil looking man.
who tapped our victim on the shoulder
and requested his presence for mome4t
at the nearest gendsrmerie.
We followed, Nellie looking nervous
but determined, evidently convinced
that her resolution on this occasion
would be rewarded.
We crossed the street and entered the
forbidden doors of that terror of gamins,
the police station, and the now enlight-
ened young mau, after a few questions
from the officer, permitted, without the
least reluctance, an examination OF his
pockets.
noticed crest on the delicate blue
silk handkerchief and the Russian lcath.
or pocket book which the officer ruth
lessly drew to light, but no purse was
found.
With more than ordinary French po-
liteness, the accused expressed regret
that mademoiselle had been deranged
by the occurrence, and with only very
mildly reproachful glance and bow he
left the room.
We also started on our homeward
way, not little mystified by the affair.
A solution awaited us on entering our
salon, for there laid the purse where,
Just for an instant it had been laid by
madcmo:sellc while she gave highly
important pat to the little curls around
her face and o farewell tilt to her
hat.
The next morning an apologize note
that Nellie had written with downcast
air was conveyed to its destination by
means of the address that the officer had
taken down, and the unpleasantncss was
dismissed from our conversation, if not
entirely from our minds.
Nearly two years later, at the close of
a long summer day, We found ourselves
in little cultivated bit Of ground that
seemed to cling to the rugged side of q
Swiss mountain. A succession of scenes
and impressions new to mind attuned
to nature had so begui!cd us that before
we commenced the descent to our hotel
the deep shadows ofnight were closing
fast about us.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

An outbreak of cholera that has &C.
CURED on the west coast of Mexico must
greatly endanger Arizona and California
and the Gulf ports that arc ~eachcd by
way of the Southern Pacific road.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
Graduated.

Lady visitor-W am very sorry to see
you here, my young friend. You look
as if you had a good education"
"Wcll, madam, I have been
through Yale College,"
Lady visitor--"Is it possibleG"
Convict-"Ycs, that's the reason I'm
here. They caught me as I was going
through. : The Judge.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

Fifty per cent. of those who attend
operas and churches in Boston are bald;
and the members of the Medical Society
of that city are considering the question
cf "Baldness-What shall we do with
it2n
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

1t is reported that an American has
taken q contract to introduce pop corn
10 the English people at the forthcom-
ing American Exposition in London and
has 5000 bushels ready to ship over.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

A wren has built her nest under the
caves of q car on South Carolina rail-
road, and makes four trips over the road
every day. The bird pays no fare, and
does not appear to be entitled to pass
under the new law. Respectfully re-
ferred to the interstate commission.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

One Of the rarest American coins is the
silver dollar of 1904. A citizen of In
diana owns one, undoubtedly genuine,
for which the late John 7. Raymond
offered him, he says, as high as $500. 1t
has been placed on exhibition as an in.
tercstiug rarity.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16

A man out West who, three years ago,
was worth nothing, is now rated at $4O,-
900, all made by the sale of Bohemian"
oats to crcdulous farmers at SO q bushcl.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
Canned Goods.

This is the season for canned goods,
end every housekeeper should be fa-
miliar with the rules of DR.. johnson to
escape the danger of poisoning, which
he considers in nearly all cases is due to
the muriate of zinc and the muriate Of
tin. He says, Reject every article of
canned goods that does not show the
line Of resin around the edge of the
solder of the cap, the same as is seen on
the seam of the can. R!ject every can
that does not have the name of the manu-
facturcr or firm uponit, as we'll as the
name of the company and the town where
manufactured. Standards have all this.
When the wholesale dealer is ashamed
to have his name on the goods, fight shy
of them. P.ess on the bottom of the
can. If decomposition is commencing
the tin will rattle, the same as the bottom
of the oiler of your sewing machine will
do. If the goods are sound it will be-
solid and there will be no rattle to the
tin. Reject every tin that shows any
signs of rust around the cap on the inside
of the head of the can. If housewives
are educated to these points, then the mu-
riate of zinc amalgam will become a
thing of the past, and dealers in "swells''
have to seek some other occupation
TROY Times. ~
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
FOR THE HOUSEWIFE.
To Tell Good Evrs from Bad.
A good egg will sink in water.

A good egg will sink in water.
A boiled egg which is done will dry
quickly on the shell when taken from tho
kettle.
The toicd eggs which adhere to the
shell are fresh laid.
After an egg has lain day or more the
shell comes off easily when boiled.
A fresh egg has a lime-likc surface to
its shell. ..
Eggs that have been packed in limo
look stained and show the action of the
lime on the surface.
Eggs packed in bran for long time
smell and taste musty.
With the MD of the hands, or piece of
paper rolled in funnel shape and held
toward the light, the human eye can
look through IN egg, she'll and all.
If an egg is clear and golden in ap-
pearance when held to the light, it is
good; if dark or spotted, it is bad.
The badness of an egg can sometimes
be told by shaking near the holders car,
but the test is n dangerous one.
Thin shells are caused by lack Of
gravel, ETC., among the hens laying
eggs.
Many devices have been tested to keep
eggs fresh, but the less time an egg is
kept the better for the egg and the one
that eats it.-[Brooklyn Citizen.